little rock choice neighborhood all-hands workshop little rock choice neighborhood a community /...

LIT TLE ROCK CHOICE NEIGHBORHOOD

ALL-HANDS WORKSHOP

LITTLE ROCK CHOICE NEIGHBORHOOD A Commun i ty / Pa r tne r Conversa t ion

M e t r o p o l i t a n H o u s i n g A l l i a n c e

Q u a d e l C o n s u l t i n g / T C GFe n n e l l P u r i f o yU r b a n C o l l a g e

D e c e m b e r 6 , 2 0 1 2T h u r s d a y , 6 : 3 0 p m – 8 : 3 0 p m

LIT TLE ROCK CHOICE NEIGHBORHOOD 2

Introduction

Metropolitan Housing AllianceCity Manager


1.INFORM the community and the stakeholders about CN process

2.SHARE the summary of existing condition assessment and community needs based on data analysis

3.SEEK feedback on current issues and vision for the community

“All Hands” Goals


Evening Agenda

The “Choice Neighborhood GPS”• Where we’ve been

– Why we’re doing this– Who is involved

• Where we are– Existing conditions analysis– Survey highlights

• Where we’re going– Your insights and help to

transform a distressed neighborhood to one that is strong, healthy, viable and safe


Where We’ve BeenLatonya Wi l son , MHA


What is Choice Neighborhood?“Choice Neighborhoods grants transform distressed neighborhoods and public and assisted projects into viable and sustainable mixed-income neighborhoods by linking housing improvements with appropriate services, schools, public assets, transportation, and access to jobs.”Grants

Planning Grants: comprehensive neighborhood revitalization strategy or Transformation Plan

Implementation Grants: gather and leverage resources from public and private agencies to support the financial sustainability and implementation of the Transformation Plan

CN Overview


• Things are happening:

Promise Neighborhood

Neighborhood Stabilization

Sustainable Communities

Pulaski Empowerment Zone

• But, there are issues:

Affected by high crime

Physical distressed

Some areas are isolated

Vacancy rate 3.6 times higher than county

The Study Area: Why?

Promise Neighborho

od

Pulaski Empowerment

Zone

12th Street Corridor

Central Business District

Neighborhood Stabilization

Program (NSP) 2


Promise vs. Choice

Central Little Rock Promise Neighborhood

Little Rock Choice Neighborhood

• U.S. Department of Education

• Grantee: University of Arkansas at Little Rock (UALR)

• Program: Improve the educational and developmental outcomes of children and youth

• Goals: Education – Cradle through College to Career

• Outcomes: Community Needs Assessment & Asset Mapping Report

• U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

• Grantee: Metropolitan Housing Alliance

• Program: Transform distressed neighborhoods through housing improvements with appropriate services, schools, public assets, transportation, and access to jobs

• Goals: People, Housing, Neighborhoods

• Outcomes: Neighborhood Transformation Plan


Housing• Residents• City of Little Rock• Volunteers of

America• LR Landbank• LR Community and

Housing Advisory Board

Neighborhood• Residents• City of Little Rock• CATA• MetroPlan• Chamber of

Commerce• LR Police Department• ACHANGE• Downtown

Partnerships• Pulaski County EZ• Audubon

People - Education

• Residents• LR School District• Promise

Neighborhood Team• UALR• New Futures for

Youth

People - CSS• Residents• AR Dept. of Health• AR Children’s

Hospital• Central AR Library

System• HIPPY• LR Community

Mental Health• Stevens Community

Center• LR Workforce

Investment Board

Project Organization

Choice Community Council (CCC)

MHA Executive DirectorMHA CN Coordinator

Working Group Chairs

ResourcesQuadel / TCG (Planning

Coordinator)Fennel PurifoyUrban Collage

EvaluationHunter Bacot, Institute of Government, UALR


• CCC Meeting (March, 2012): Kick-off / organizational meeting in

advance of HUD visit

• Resident Meeting (April, 2012): Included in HUD site visit agenda

• CCC Meeting (August, 2012):

Update on CN progress, challenges and future steps

Quotes from the meetings

• Neighborhood Association Meetings:

Pine to Woodrow Forest Hills Love Neighborhood Stephens Area Faith Elm Street Sunset Terrace Wright Avenue

Stakeholder Engagement


Resident ResponsesConcerns• Safety for children- bus routes,

bullying• Crime (drugs, robbery)• Lack of parental involvement• Transportation • Quality of education/ pace of learning• Need more tutoring• Church/ community support• Too many liquor stores• Increase of home owner’s insurance

rates• Abandon Housing• Violence• Prostitution

Suggested Solutions• Alcohol & Liquor Store Ordinances• Police Presence (slow response time)• Information sharing process/

Discriminated info/ Res.• Jobs• Strengthen youth programs/ trade

programs• Internal community

centers/offices/open space for teaching

• Put gym back in school (P.E.)• Community Enrichment classes• More after school programs• More accountability for organizations

in places• Sidewalk, street improvement, paved

alleys, street lights• Noise ordinance signs• Designated trash drives


• Issues Quality of education / Pace of

learning Truancy Lack of kindergarten readiness Low 3rd grade reading scores High drop out rates

• Challenges Staff limitations Lack of tutoring Lack of (affordable) after

school programs Increasing parental

involvement in child(ren)’s education

Our Dialogue: Education


• Issues Robbery, drug activity,

prostitution Increase in domestic violence Illegal dumping, loitering /

squatting Code Enforcement Issue

• Challenges Number of liquor stores Food Desert Medical Desert Underperforming schools

Our Dialogue: Safety

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011*0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

2023 2348 2256 18341422 1409 1488

1176

AGGRAVATED ASSAULT INCIDENTS BY YEAR

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011*0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

3500

15921801 1842 2036

2898 2994 2977 2262

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE INCIDENTS BY YEAR


Our Dialogue: Housing

• Issues Abandoned / deteriorated

homes Escalating need for

maintenance Lack of energy efficiency Need for weatherization Hard to obtain home owner’s

insurance

• Challenges Limited household budgets for

home improvements Lack of federal monies for

home improvement


Key Concerns

• Education Makes schools more secure Reduce / eliminate truancy Improve educational quality

• Safety Many types of crime common More officers / quicker

response times

• Housing Addressing abandoned housing Providing maintenance support


Recent Progress

• New Children’s Library Spring 2013 One of few in the nation

• 12th Street Police Substation Increased Safety Presence Mixed Use

• BCD Empowerment Center

Increased capacity to serve community

Residential Treatment Center

• UAMS Clinic Free medical service Specializes in treating

prevalent illnesses within community


Where We AreMelodee Me l in , Quade l Consu l t ing

John Skach , U rban Co l lageTom Fenne l l , Fenne l l Pur i foy A rch i tec ts


What Are The Components?• People – health and public safety; employment and training;

youth and senior services; education and training – cradle to career; high performing schools

• Housing – Energy efficient, sustainable, accessible, with internet connectivity; mixed income; physically and financially viable

• Neighborhoods – High quality parks and recreational facilities; effective public transit, walking and biking options to connect to work and/or local services; access to economic development and employment opportunities; shopping and neighborhood services; healthy foods.

CN Overview


Typical Process

we are here


• Create a Neighborhood Transformation PlanMHA will work collaboratively with its partners, CCC members and stakeholders to construct a Neighborhood Transformation Plan which will include Sunset Terrace, Elm Street Apartments, Central High and Stephens Neighborhoods. This plan is needed to apply for the Choice Neighborhoods Implementation Grant.

• Apply for implementation funds MHA will apply for a HUD CN Implementation Grant to transform and revitalize the CN community. Submission date: March 2013.Competition for these grants is intense

CN Outcomes


• Sunset Terrace - Public housing

Building deficiencies – water leaks, cracked foundation, poor grading

Design deficiencies – unit size below avg. for new construction, inefficient use of space, units lack modern amenities

• Elm Street - Section 8

Building deficiencies – roof deck damage, outdated electrical system

Design deficiencies – single point entry to the building, lack of amenities

Sunset Terrace

Elm Street

Target Sites


Survey Highlights: Elm Street

• 29 of 42 households responded• 18 have resided 5 years or less• 28 are employed• Transportation Mode: Walking (13), Biking (10), and Bus (8) -

are the primary means• 15 reported no trouble using public transportation but• 15 cited transportation as a barrier for persons with

disabilities• 12 reported transportation as a job barrier


Survey Highlights: Elm Street

• Job related Training Needs: Small Business Start-up, Computer, Vocational & Job Readiness

• Neighborhood needs: Indoor & Outdoor Recreation & Parks• 21 Listed the need for Sidewalk, Paving and Curb repair• Doctor’s office, Library, and Laundromat • Public Safety: 14 feel unsafe walking through the area• Top Health needs: Dental & Eye Care Services• Outdoor facilities Needs: Basketball Court, Passive Park,

Landscaping, Community garden• A Gym was the top need followed by Parks, Restaurants,

Shopping, Computer Center, Banks


Survey Highlights: Sunset Terrace• 29 of 73 households responded• 20 have resided 0-5 years• Health Care is the primary field of employment• Bus is the primary mode of transportation• Barriers to employment: Transportation, Lack of Training or

Education• Training Desired: GED Adult Education, Computer, Job

Readiness, Vocational Training, Small Business• Neighborhood Needs: Laundromat, Grocery Store, Doctor’s

Offices, Library, Drug Store, Restaurants


Survey Highlights: Sunset Terrace• Barriers for Persons with Disabilities: Transportation, Living

Independently, Cost of Health Care and Prescription Drugs; Special Needs Assistance

• 25 were Somewhat Happy, Happy or Very Happy with the schools; 18 expressed school safety concerns

• 15-21 endorsed the need for youth programs including: Safe sex, job training, weekend programs, jobs programs and others

• Health Care: provided by Emergency Room and Primary Doctor

• Dental service, Nutrition, Exercise and Weight Loss were the top needs

• Neighborhood Needs: Sidewalk & Curb Repairs and Street Lighting. Computer Center, Gym, Grocery Stores, Child Care Centers

• 23 want to return to New Development replacing Sunset Terrace


Housing Market• Background

CN area is a very low-income submarket with high demand for rent-subsidized housing units

58% of all renters and more than 53% of age 65+ renters in the CN area are cost burdened

• Family Rental General occupancy multifamily

rental communities currently exhibit high vacancies

High demand for rent-subsidized housing

• Senior Rental Age-restricted rental housing is

very limited and fully occupied Senior rental housing may be the

best opportunity for new development


Housing Market: For Sale• Findings

The for-sale market is characterized by low home values and low-sales volume

No homebuilders are currently building in new single or multi-family subdivisions

The CN area’s low-density development pattern complicates designing a project that can have wider positive impacts

• Opportunities Any new for-sale development

should be single-family detached in keeping with the CN area

Vacant lots and homes in need of rehabilitation or demolition present the best targets for developing new for-sale housing


Housing Market: Conclusions• Projects with greatest likelihood

of success over next 5 years: Rent subsidized senior community Replacement general occupancy

public housing, either on a multifamily site or scattered detached homes or duplexes

Scattered site for-sale project beginning with no more than a dozen units


Social Profile

• Significant population changeLoss of 3,000 residents

from 2000 to 2010, current population 11,060

• Limited diversity90% African-American

• Fairly typical age profileBiggest age group: 31–45

35% population are children and seniors

26% under 18 (2,879)

11% over 65 (1,221)

• Aging populationDepopulation of younger

cohorts; seniors trending upward

Population DensityBrown – Higher densityBeige – Lower density


Economic Profile

• Low household incomeMedian HH income is less

than $26k in the CN, compared to $47k in Pulaski

33% households live below poverty level (~$22K for a family of four)

• High unemploymentEntire area has 768 jobs,

4,599 employees mostly in health care, service, education

Only 57 employees live and work in the CN area

Unemployment rate is between 15% to 22%

Number of Jobs per HouseholdGrey areas – less than 1 job per HH


Housing Condition• MethodologyWindshield survey of

residential buildings in four categories

Analysis based on the number of distressed buildings on a typical street block

• Findings8% area with serious

issues (5-7 buildings)15% area with major

issues (3-4 buildings)41% area with minor

issues (1-2 buildings)375 boarded up houses

(5% total parcels); most in distressed condition

• Areas of distress:Blocks around Central

HighStephens Neighborhood


Vacant Lots• MethodologyAnalysis based on the

number of vacant lots on a typical street block

• Findings6% area with serious

vacancies (16-34 lots)16% area with major

vacancies (8-15 lots)29% area with minor

vacancies (4-7 lots)41% area with few

vacancies (0-3 lots)Current long-term

vacancy rate is 17.6

• Areas of high vacancyStephens Neighborhood

North of Central High


Patterns of Disinvestment• Areas of vacant lots

and distressed buildings7% area with serious

issues21% area with major

issues 41% area with minor

issues22% area with no issues375 boarded up houses

(5% total parcels); most in distressed condition

• Low property values63% properties valued at

less than $50,00

• Foreclosures170 foreclosed properties

(2008-2009; blue stars)

• Crime144 violent crime

incidents per1,000 residents (2008-2010; circles)


Neighborhood Assets

• General Retail (orange)Limited to 12th Street

and Asher Avenue corridors

• Civic / Community (blue)Scattered throughout

School, university, hospital,, child care, senior care, health facility, etc.

• Food Stores (magenta)Very limited;

underserved by restaurants, groceries, food markets, etc.

• Recreational Fourche Creek

watershed

Curran Conway Field / Park

• Blue stars indicate major assets


Plan Opportunities

• Improve connectivityBetter connections to

Downtown, north of I-630 and west side

Improve pedestrian connections within the CN area

• Economic Development12th Street as a

walkable, “Complete Street” with retail, mixed-use, health and cultural anchors

Long-term industrial redevelopment along railroad, commercial redevelopment along Asher Avenue

• HousingLeverage MHA / partner

sitesLeverage NSP2 and land

bank resources

Low-Density

Mid-Density

High-Density

Historic District

Cultural AnchorMixed-use node

Commercial nodesHealth Anchor

Economic developmentResidential

development


Housing Goals

• Replacement Housing 1 for 1 replacement

Existing Units:

Sunset Terrace 74 units

Elm Street 50 units

Total 124 units

Possibly strategies

1) Development of Land-Bank Units

2) Additional NSP Development

3) Equity Sharing Loan Program for Owner-Occupied Rehab

4) Additional Multi-family development


Housing Goals

• Replacement Housing Possible Scenarios

1) 40-50 multi-family units Target elderly and persons

with disabilities

Veterans Home or Stephens Elementary Site

2) 56 SRO units Rehab existing Elm Street

Apartments with 2nd story addition

3) 34 in-fill family units Replace Sunset Family units

using cluster approach, locate closer to 12th street amenities

4) 72 new units 36 on vacant half of Elm St

site

36 on half of Sunset site

Veterans Home site redevelopment possibilities


Housing Goals

• Replacement Housing and Redevelopments

Parks Playgrounds Healthy, fresh produce Physically active lifestyle Less emphasis on vehicular

transportation Community centers Closer access to everyday

amenities Afterschool activities Job training and

opportunities


Housing Goals

• Replacement Housing Possible Scenario – Elm street SRO

site• Rehab existing SRO with additional

second story

• Cluster and scattered approach with additional multi and single family housing

• 50 SRO units, 33 multi-family units, and 5 single


Where We’re HeadedNi t i Ga j j a r, U rban Co l lage


Building from the Assets


2013

What is your “New Year’s Resolution?”Participants will be given colorful ribbons to write their vision for the COMMUNITY / NEIGHBORHOOD

Write at least 3 RESOLUTIONS that could make a positive difference

2013

FIX MY HOUSE???

LEARN A SKILL???


What are the challenges / issues? Write the overall neighborhood challenges and specific needs related to –EducationHealth & Wellness Economy / JobsCrime & SafetyHousingPublic Services / Transportation


Issues Mapping

On a large map of the CN area, identify “hot spot” issues

Things we want to keep (NO CHANGE)

Things that need to go (CHANGE)

little rock choice neighborhood all-hands workshop little rock choice neighborhood a community /...

Documents

choice neighborhood

little rock ualr program

choice neighborhoods

pm slide

department of housing

housing improvements

distressed neighborhoods

community enrichment